Paterson Pardons 6 People Facing Deportation

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Gov. David Paterson has pardoned six people facing possible deportation because of prior convictions and granted clemency to an ex-addict he says showed extraordinary rehabilitation during 20 years in prison as an accomplice to rape, sodomy and robbery.

Paterson says the pardons address "shortcomings'' in often harsh and inflexible federal immigration laws on deportation.

Those pardoned include 32-year-old Kevin Auyeung, a Chinese emigre in New York City, who at 17 was convicted of robbery, spent four years in prison and since started a cellular services company.

Paterson says 44-year-old June Benson earned a college degree and helped other inmates, and the Parole Board and several correction officers backed clemency.